NXT TakeOver: Portland Predictions

WWE is switching up the script on us and giving us a TakeOver on a Sunday night. This show also features six matches instead of the usual five. What does this all mean? We don’t know, but we do know that Javier, Kaden & Evan are here to give you their predictions for NXT Takeover: Portland. 

Finn Balor vs Johnny Gargano

Evan: Balor finally gets his hands on Johnny TakeOver. Before Gargano consistently dropped 5-star matches at TakeOvers, Balor was the biggest star of the brand. Expect the Irishman to get the win, unlike the movie.

Pick – Finn Balor

Javier: Johnny Takeover can’t always win. This time Balor takes advantage somehow and wins the match. These two should have excellent chemistry together and I’m hopeful that they lock up again.

Pick – Finn Balor

Kaden: Gargano simply doesn’t need the win. Balor, however, does. This will setup Balor to go into Mania weekend challenging the Fiend (hopefully).

Pick – Finn Balor

Tegan Nox vs Dakota Kai – Street Fight

Evan: The heel turn that started this feud off was amazing, and I expect this match to bring that level of intensity. It feels more right for Dakota Kai to get the win, giving Nox something more to get vengeance for.

Pick – Dakota Kai

Javier: The heel always wins the first match. This feud runs DEEP and there’s no way they blow it off in one match. Dakota Kai finds a way to win this match and Nox gets her big win Wrestlemania weekend.

Pick – Dakota Kai

Kaden: Dakota has got to win this match. For her to turn heel and then lose her first big match would be a major disappointment. 

Pick – Dakota Kai

Keith Lee (c) vs Dominik Dijakovic – NXT North American Championship

Evan: Bask in his glory, y’all.

Pick – Keith Lee

Javier: He’s not losing his first real title defense. These two are going to put on a CLINIC and I’m very excited for it. Lee moves on with the belt, however, and I hope he has himself a strong run.

Pick – Keith Lee

Kaden: Keith Lee will retain his belt. It’s simply too early to take it off of him.

Pick – Keith Lee

Undisputed Era (c) vs Pete Dunne & Matt Riddle – NXT Tag Team Championships

Evan: Remember when Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong had a shot at the Undisputed Era two years ago at TakeOver: New Orleans? That’s when Strong turned on Dunne and joined the Era. Now it’s Dunne’s time to turn, but he won’t join the Era. Instead, he’ll turn on Riddle either during or after the match. Riddle-Dunne on Wrestlemania weekend will be nice, bro.

Pick – Undisputed Era

Javier: Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle is the team I didn’t know I need, but am so glad that I got. These two are absolutely money together and those skits with them and the trophy had me laughing so hard that it hurt. Seriously. They have the momentum on their side and need this win so please just let them have it.

Pick – Pete Dunne & Matt Riddle

Kaden: Matt Riddle will win his first NXT title in Portland. This will continue the explosion of the UE and help Riddle and Peter Doone.

Pick – Pete Dunne & Matt Riddle

Rhea Ripley (c) vs Bianca Belair – NXT Women’s Championship

Evan: As great as Belair is right now, WWE will not put Charlotte in a second straight triple threat match at Wrestlemania. If WWE was smart, Belair would either be inserted or just get the shot against Charlotte. Instead they’ll stick to the plan in place and have Ripley-Flair, which will still be excellent.

Pick – Rhea Ripley

Javier: They are absolutely building to Rhea Ripley v Charlotte Flair. The only way I see Rhea not winning is if they have Charlotte interfere and make it a triple threat at Wrestlemania. I don’t see that happening. So Ripley wins and carries the belt to Tampa.

Pick – Rhea Ripley

Kaden: This will end in DQ due to interference from the Queen Charlotte Flair. Charlotte interrupting her sets up a triple threat match at mania for the NXT Women’s Championship.

Pick – Double DQ

Adam Cole (c) vs Tommaso Ciampa – NXT Championship

Evan: As of now, I want Adam Cole’s reign to run for a long time, maybe even forever. Well not actually, but why not a year? Ciampa is great, but I don’t think he should be the one to end Cole’s (likely) only reign as NXT Champion.

Pick – Adam Cole

Javier: I think Adam Cole wins this and these two rematch Wrestlemania weekend. The story is there for Ciampa to win, but if he’s going to be a babyface, he’s going to have to have babyface losses. This just has a prolonged story written all over it.

Pick – Adam Cole

Kaden: Ciampa will win Goldie back. I had doubts until just now about the title changing hands so close to Mania, but I think this is the show where the Undisputed Era begins their combustion. No member will be holding a title by Presidents’ Day morning.

Pick – Tommaso Ciampa

That’s who we have for NXT TakeOver Portland. Let us know who you think will win by tweeting us at @FPC_Wrestling.